The Super Eagles Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Ex- African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before they were forced to hold on for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a dramatic comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when the North Africans were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute guided a half-volley wide of the upright.
Securing Top Spot
The victory ensures that Nigeria, champions of the tournament on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, the 2004 champions stay on 3 group points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to take on Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender drilled home from 12 yards to give Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second team after Egypt to reach the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled early in the second half when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to power home a header from a Lookman corner.
The number 9 then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a looping cross struck the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be sufficient to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
